CCBC Booklists

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Literary Science 1: K-5 Mentor Texts

© 2025, 2012 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Compiled by Megan Schliesman and Merri Lindgren

The Next Generation Science Standards emphasize four broad areas of science education:

  • Life Science
  • Earth & Space Science
  • Physical Science
  • Engineering & Design

This bibliography suggests children's literature titles that can be used as mentor texts across these four broad areas. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or to incorporate every science concept that is taught. Instead, it is meant to suggest ways of integrating high-quality children's literature into the science curriculum--books that model outstanding writing (mentor texts) and that can foster engagement, invite discussion, and connect science with other areas of the curriculum. Titles include picture books, novels, poetry, and books of information, as well as hybrid information/fictional offerings.

It should be noted that while the first two categories, Life Science and Earth & Space Science, offer many rich possibilities in children's literature, the other two categories, Physical Science and Engineering & Technology, present more of a challenge. Therefore, these two have been combined into a single category on this list.

Life Science

Books of Information

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
by Brunelle, Lynn
Illustrated by Jason Chin. Holiday House/Neal Porter Books, 2024. 48 pages. Ages 8-12

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants
The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants
by Bunting, Philip
Illustrated by Philip Bunting. Crown/Random House, 2024. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey
The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey
by Chin, Jason
Illustrated by Jason Chin. Holiday House/Neal Porter Books, 2022. 40 pages. Ages 8-11

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story About an Amazing Swimmer
Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story About an Amazing Swimmer
by Cox, Lynne
Illustrated by Richard Jones. Anne Schwartz Book/Random House, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

Giant Squid
Giant Squid
by Fleming, Candace
Illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook, 2016. 36 pages. Ages 6-11

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera
by Fleming, Candace
Illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Holiday House/Neal Porter Books, 2020. 44 pages. Ages 4-8

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic
by Fleming, Candace
Illustrated by Deena So'Oteh. Anne Schwartz Book, 2024. 48 pages. Ages 6-9

The Book of Turtles
The Book of Turtles
by Montgomery, Sy
Illustrated by Matt Patterson. Clarion/HarperCollins, 2023. 38 pages. Ages 5-9

Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea
Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea
by Newman, Patricia
Lerner/Millbrook, 2024. 55 pages. Ages 8-12

Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular
Darwin's Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular
by Owen, Polly
Illustrated by Gwen Millward. Quarto/Wide Eyed Editions, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation
Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation
by Parrott-Ryan, Maria
Lerner/Millbrook, 2023. 56 pages. Ages 8-13

Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons
Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons
by Salas, Laura Purdie
Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Lerner/Millbrook, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 3-7

Moth: An Evolution Story
Moth: An Evolution Story
by Thomas, Isabel
Illustrated by Daniel Egneus. Bloomsbury, 2019. 48 pages. Ages 6-9

Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small
Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small
by Wade, Jess
Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon. Candlewick, 2021. 29 pages. Ages 7-10

Picture Books and Fiction

Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals
Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals
by Ashman, Linda
Illustrated by Aparna Varma. Kids Can, 2023. 48 pages. Ages 4-8

The Voyage of Turtle Rex
The Voyage of Turtle Rex
by Cyrus, Kurt
Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. Harcourt /Houghton Mifflin , 2011. 32 pages. Ages 3-8

The Fourteenth Goldfish
The Fourteenth Goldfish
by Holm, Jennifer L.
Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2014. 195 pages. Ages 9-12

The Humblebee Hunter: Inspired by the Life & Experiments of Charles Darwin and His Children
The Humblebee Hunter: Inspired by the Life & Experiments of Charles Darwin and His Children
by Hopkinson, Deborah
Illustrated by Jen Corace. Disney/Hyperion, 2010. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

Birds on the Brain
Birds on the Brain
by Krishnaswami, Uma
Illustrated by Julianna Swaney. Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2024. 180 pages. Ages 8-10

The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter
The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter
by Larkin, Shabazz
Illustrated by Shabazz Larkin. Readers to Eaters, 2019. 32 pages. Ages 2-7

Project Mulberry
Project Mulberry
by Park, Linda Sue
Clarion, 2005. 225 pages. Ages 9-12

How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside
How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside
by Percival, Kari
Illustrated by Kari Percival. Penguin Random House/Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2022. 32 pages. Ages 1-4

Night Owl Night
Night Owl Night
by Richmond, Susan Edwards
Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. Charlesbridge, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Earth & Space Science

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon
by Chin, Jason
Illustrated by Jason Chin. Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook, 2017. 42 pages. Ages 6-10

Your Place in the Universe

Your Place in the Universe
by Chin, Jason
Illustrated by Jason Chin. Holiday House/Neal Porter Books, 2020. 40 pages. Ages 7-10

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge
by Cole, Joanna
Illustrated by Bruce Degen. Scholastic Press, 2010. 37 pages. Ages 7-10

My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall's Story

My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall's Story
by Coy, John
Illustrated by Gaylord Schanilec. Minnesota Historical Society, 2019. 40 pages. Ages 5-11

A Black Hole Is Not a Hole

A Black Hole Is Not a Hole
by DeCristofano, Carolyn Cinami
Illustrated by Michael Carroll. Charlesbridge, 2012. 74 pages. Ages 9-13

Wind and Water (Vivi Loves Science)

Wind and Water (Vivi Loves Science)
by Derting, Kimberly and Shelli R. Johannes
Illustrated by Joelle Murray. Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2023. 38 pages. Ages 5-8

Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World

Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World
by Hale, Christy
Illustrated by Christy Hale. Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook, 2018. 24 pages. Ages 3-8

Tsunami!

Tsunami!
by Kajikawa, Kimiko
Illustrated by Ed Young. Philomel, 2009. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of

The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of
by Larson, Kirsten W.
Illustrated by Katherine Roy. Chronicle, 2023. 40 pages. Ages 8-12

Change Is in the Air: Carbon, Climate, Earth, and Us

Change Is in the Air: Carbon, Climate, Earth, and Us
by Levy, Debbie
Illustrated by Alex Boersma. Bloomsbury, 2024. 36 pages. Ages 5-10

All the Water in the World

All the Water in the World
by Lyon, George Ella
Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. Atheneum/Richard Jackson Book, 2011. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet

Just Right: Searching for the Goldilocks Planet
by Manley, Curtis
Illustrated by Jessica Lanan. Roaring Brook, 2019. 40 pages. Ages 7-11

Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover

Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover
by Motum, Markus
Illustrated by Markus Motum. Candlewick, 2018. 48 pages. Ages 4-8

The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure

The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure
by Rosenstock, Barb
Illustrated by Jamey Christoph. Knopf/Random House, 2024. 32 pages. Ages 7-12

Great Carrier Reef

Great Carrier Reef
by Stremer, Jessica
Illustrated by Gordy Wright. Holiday House, 2023. 40 pages. Ages 7-10

Physical Science/Engineering & Design

Books of Information

Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube
Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube
by Aradhya, Kerry
Illustrated by Kara Kramer. Peachtree, 2024. 32 pages. Ages 7-10

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
by Barton, Chris
Illustrated by Don Tate. Charlesbridge, 2016. 32 pages. Ages 6-11

Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama
Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama
by Burns, Loree Griffin
Illustrated by Ellen Harasimowicz. Charlesbridge, 2022. 40 pages. Ages 5-9

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel
Mr. Ferris and His Wheel
by Davis, Kathryn Gibbs
Illustrated by Gilbert Ford. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 40 pages. Ages 5-9

Dive! The Story of Breathing Underwater
Dive! The Story of Breathing Underwater
by Gall, Chris
Illustrated by Chris Gall. Roaring Brook, 2024. 40 pages. Ages 5-10

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by Kamkwamba, William and Bryan Mealer
Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Dial, 2012. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

Earmuffs for Everyone! How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs
Earmuffs for Everyone! How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs
by McCarthy, Meghan
Illustrated by Meghan McCarthy. Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster, 2015. 40 pages. Ages 6-9

Marvelous Mattie:  How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor
Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor
by McCully, Emily Arnold
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem
The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem
by Paeff, Colleen
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, 2021. 40 pages. Ages 7-12

Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge
Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge
by Partridge, Elizabeth
Illustrated by Ellen Heck. Chronicle, 2024. 49 pages. Ages 5-10

Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer
Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer
by Sorell, Traci
Illustrated by Natasha Donovan. Lerner/Millbrook, 2021. 32 pages. Ages 7-10

How to Explain Robotics to a Grown-Up
How to Explain Robotics to a Grown-Up
by Spiro, Ruth
Illustrated by Teresa Martinez. Charlesbridge, 2024. 32 pages. Ages 7-10

Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer
Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer
by Stanley, Diane
Illustrated by Jessie Hartland. Simon & Schuster, 2016. 40 pages. Ages 6-10

Balloons Over Broadway:  The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
by Sweet, Melissa
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Houghton Mifflin /Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011. 32 pages. Ages 6-10

Picture Books and Fiction

Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen
Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen
by Best, Cari
Illustrated by Christine Davenier. Farrar Straus Giroux/Melanie Kroupa Books, 2006. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

Papa's Mechanical Fish
Papa's Mechanical Fish
by Fleming, Candace
Illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Farrar Straus Giroux/Margaret Ferguson Books, 2013. 40 pages. Ages 5-8

Lights Out
Lights Out
by Geisert, Arthur
Illustrated by Arthur Geisert. Houghton Mifflin /Walter Lorraine Books, 2005. 32 pages. Ages 5-9

Wave
Wave
by Lee, Suzy
Illustrated by Suzy Lee. Chronicle, 2008. 32 pages. Ages 3-6

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Selznick, Brian
Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic Press, 2007. 533 pages. Ages 9-13

The Most Magnificent Thing
The Most Magnificent Thing
by Spires, Ashley
Illustrated by Ashley Spires. Kids Can, 2014. 32 pages. Ages 4-8

Mae and Gerty and the Matter with Matter
Mae and Gerty and the Matter with Matter
by Vickers, Elaine
Illustrated by Erica Salcedo. 1517 Media/Beaming Books, 2023. 32 pages. Ages 5-8

A Rover's Story
A Rover's Story
by Warga, Jasmine
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 2022. 294 pages. Ages 8-12

Someone Builds the Dream
Someone Builds the Dream
by Wheeler, Lisa
Illustrated by Loren Long. Dial/Penguin Random House, 2021. 40 pages. Ages 4-7

Ten Birds
Ten Birds
by Young, Cybele
Illustrated by Cybele Young. Kids Can, 2011. 32 pages. Ages 4-9

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Recommended Book Search includes access to CCBC-recommended titles based on subject headings created by our staff.

Please send questions or comments about CCBC booklists to ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu.